ray.so alternative
Ray.so is gorgeous for screenshots.
code2clip is built for feeds.
Ray.so by Raycast nailed the look of premium code screenshots. The gradients are clean, the typography is tight, and a tweet with a Ray.so image still looks great in 2026. But TikTok, Reels, YouTube Shorts, and LinkedIn video do not reward static images. code2clip gives you the same designer aesthetic, in motion, with sound, in any aspect ratio.
Side by side
| feature | ray.so | code2clip |
|---|---|---|
| Output format | PNG, SVG | MP4 video, PNG still |
| Animation | None, static image | Typing, scroll, highlight modes |
| Keyboard sound | No | Real mechanical keyboard audio |
| Aspect ratios | Fixed, mostly landscape | 9:16, 1:1, 16:9 presets |
| Themes | Curated palette set | 11 Shiki themes |
| Background styles | Gradient swatches | Gradients, solids, transparent, custom |
| Built for | Tweets, READMEs, slides | TikTok, Reels, Shorts, LinkedIn video |
When Ray.so is still the right pick
For a single tweet image, a README header, or a slide deck snippet, Ray.so is fast, free, and visually polished. Reach for it whenever the destination is a static surface. Reach for code2clip when the destination is a feed that auto plays video.
Why creators switch
- Short form needs motion. A typed in animation holds the first three seconds, the only window that decides whether the algorithm pushes your clip further.
- Vertical is half your surfaces. 9:16 is native on TikTok, Reels, and Shorts. Cropping a Ray.so PNG to vertical wastes most of the canvas.
- Sound is a hook. Real mechanical keyboard audio is unreasonably effective at retention.
- One file, ready to upload. MP4 out, drop into the post composer, done. No screen recording, no After Effects, no timeline cleanup.
FAQ
Is code2clip free like Ray.so?
The editor is free to try. Rendering MP4 clips requires a paid plan from $7/mo. Ray.so is free but only outputs static images, so comparing prices directly is not apples to apples.
Can I export the same gradient backgrounds Ray.so has?
code2clip ships a range of gradient and solid backgrounds, plus a transparent option for compositing in your own editor. Most Ray.so style looks are reproducible in one click.
Does code2clip support the same languages?
Yes, highlighting is powered by Shiki and covers JavaScript, TypeScript, Python, Go, Rust, and the other common languages devs post about.
Why pay for video when Ray.so screenshots are free?
If your distribution channel is a static surface (README, slide, blog), screenshots are perfect. If it is a short form feed (TikTok, Reels, Shorts, LinkedIn video), the algorithm treats animated MP4s as native content and static images as foreign. The reach difference pays for itself fast.
paste code, ship a clip
Open the editor, paste a snippet, pick a theme. MP4 in under a minute.
open the editor